Emporia, Kan. – The Friends University Women's (5K) & Men's (8K) teams competed in their fourth meet of the season today (Oct. 6) at Emporia State Jones Park. 

The Lady Falcons finished sixth out of 11 teams.  Leading the way was Christa Titus (SR/Grinnell, Iowa) with a 12th overall finish and a time of 19:55. 

"She ran a really strong race today on a very tough course," Friends head coach Jason Parr said. 

Nicole Ballard (SO/Haviland, Kan.) finished 35th overall with a time of 20:47.  Finishing third on the team was Kara Zahariades (SO/Phoenix, Arizona) at 21:04. 

"She is showing signs of putting a full race together," Parr said. 

Grace Garrison (FR/Clearwater, Kan. ) finished 45 with a time 21:20.    Coming in 46th overall was Miranda Tenove (JR/Olathe, Kan.) (21:22). 

"Grace is still really learning how to race, she will put it together soon," Parr said.

"Miranda has made a tremendous amount of progress this year with her running.  She will be tough to beat at conference time.  We have a couple of ladies who are continuing to work hard and making progress towards getting in the mix with these other six ladies. We will be a strong team as the season moves forward. I know we can run with any team in the KCAC and I hope that we'll take advantage of this opportunity when it comes.   It was nice to get a race in after a couple weeks off. We will head to Seminole Valley in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in a couple weeks."

Friends University Results

12th- Christa Titus- 19:55

35th- Nicole Ballard- 20:47

40th- Kara Zahariades- 21:04

45th- Grace Garrison- 21:20

46th- Miranda Tenove- 21:22

52nd- Payton Reaves (JR/Wichita, Kan.)- 21:42

57th- Morgan Smith (FR/Wichita, Kan. )- 21:47

75th - Kayla Allen (SO/Lewiston, Maine)- 22:28

94th - Jaelyn Casanova (JR/Wichita, Kan. )- 24:11

99th- Jolene Jensen (FR/Exira, Iowa)- 24:46

On the men's side, the Falcons finished seventh out of 13 complete teams at the ESU Invite.   Leading the way again was newcomer Jonathan Jones (FR/Derby, Kan. ), finishing 18th overall with a time of 27:45.

"I was very impressed with his leadership today on the course," Parr said.  "He continues to run with the top guys each meet." 

Finishing second on the Falcons was Isaac Sprague (SR/Concordia, Kan.) with a time of 28:20.

Logan White (JR/Wichita, Kan.) came in third on the team at 28:47, while Nathan Mier (FR/Wichita, Kan. ) finished fourth for the Falcons with a time of 29:13.

"He continues to be a strong four or five for us," Parr said.

Avery Stuever (FR/Towanda, Kan. ) finished fifth for the Falcons, putting together a time of 29:36.

"Our Men's team has some work to do and I have no doubt we will continue to see improvements from all of them.   We have turned the corner for sure with the ability to compete in every race. We have a big task ahead of in a couple weeks at Seminole Valley where we will get the chance to compete against all NAIA teams.

Friends Men Results

18th - Jonathan Jones- 27:45

34th – Isaac Sprague- 28:20

50th – Logan White- 28:47

57th- Nathan Mier- 29:13

65th- Avery Stuever- 29:36

79th- Reno Ferris (SR/Cheney, Kan.)- 30:19

84th- Logan Krenn (JR/Ponca City, Okla. )- 30:32

87th- Brett Martin (SR/Wichita, Kan.)- 30:46

92nd- Isaac Nelson (FR/Wichita, Kan. )- 31:10

95th- Jonathan Pettyjohn (SO/Broken Arrow, Okla.)- 31:22

108th- Alex Viscarra (JR/Wichita, Kan. )- 32:30

Full Team Results:  https://www.tfrrs.org/results_search.html